Independent Project Process!

Hello Everyone!

As we continue with our unit called The Nature Connection, we will also be working on our independent research project. 

This project is about choice and passion. The topic you research needs to be important to you. You need to care about it! You need to be curious! You need to have lots of questions! If you don’t, then don’t do your topic. Each of you chose a topic before break, but if you have changed it, you need to tell me by the end of this week.

We will present our projects to parents, administrators, teachers, and some Suncrest classes on June 13th, Thursday, in our classroom, from 12-2:30 PM. 

Here are the steps and criteria:

  1. Narrow down your topic with a “search term” brainstorm.
  2. Ask beginning questions to start your research, in the form and function categories.
  3. Take notes as you research, using the format Ms. D provides in class. Notes can be taken by hand in your journal or on the iPad/laptop; however, notes are not cut and paste from websites. Please use your own words to summarize information. Notes will need to be turned in one week before presentation day.
  4. Record any resource you use. Ms. D will provide a handout on how to record all types of resources. You can also use Easy Bib as a tool for creating a bibliography. A final, typed, alphabetical bibliography needs to be turned in one week before presentation day.
  5. Please use a variety of secondary resources. You need to use at least one encyclopaedia (World Book online provided on our library website or use physical books in our library research section — Ms. Ho can make copies of pages as needed), at least 3 books (we have ordered some from high school libraries, but you will need to go to the public library), and a variety of reliable websites. We will talk about this in class.
  6. Please use at least one primary resource. A primary resource can include: an experiment you design and document with pictures and notes, an interview with an expert, a visit to a location or a specific experience to learn about your topic with pictures and notes, a survey of a larger group of people about your topic (not just our class), or the creation of an invention with documentation of the design process. There are many options and we can talk about this in class.
  7. As you find information, begin to ask more complicated questions and write them in your notes. Use our inquiry wonderings wall as a guide for your questions. If you feel you are done, you probably haven’t asked enough questions. All of your topics would take years to research if you kept asking questions! Go deep!
  8. Choose a way to present your information. This isn’t a science fair where a trifold is required with specific pieces of writing, etc. You choose how to present. When we go to see your information, you need something we can look at, something we can interact with or do, and some original writing we can read about your topic. You can do a trifold or poster for the background if you want, but there are other ways! Try a model, handout zines, do an experiment set up, write a magazine, create a cartoon, make a slideshow, create a game to learn about your topic, make amazing artwork, write a mini skit, do a puppet show on film, etc. Plan and decide what you want to do before the end of April, but I would love to see your creative thinking.
  9. Document the process of your project on your e-port. So we can share in your process, occasionally I will ask you to share some of the research, notes, pictures, or thoughts from your project.
  10. Assessment: After you present to the public, you will include thoughts about your independent project in your final reflections for report card. Your parents will also comment on your independent project process, as will Ms. D. We will create a general rubric of success together as a class to help with this. 

Okay, there we go! I look forward to seeing your research! If you have questions, please do ask!

Ms. D